Data Storage Device and Method for Real-Time Data Locking in Surveillance Storage

ABSTRACT

A data storage device and method for real-time data locking in surveillance storage are provided. In one embodiment, a data storage device is provided comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an image of an object of interest from a host; receive a video stream from the host; and as the video stream is being received from the host, determine whether the object of interest is present in the video stream. Other embodiments are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 63/133,487, filed Jan. 4, 2021, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A data storage device can be used to store a video stream sent to it bya host. In a surveillance environment, the video stream can be stored inthe data storage device's memory in the Moving Picture Experts GroupTransport Stream (MPEG-TS) format. Searching for an object of interestin the stored video stream is a major requirement of surveillancesystems. Typically, the host retrieves the entire stored video streamfrom the data storage device and performs its own search to find theobject of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a data storage device of an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a storage module of anembodiment.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a hierarchical storage system ofan embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating components of the controller ofthe data storage device illustrated in FIG. 1A according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating components of the memory datastorage device illustrated in FIG. 1A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a host and data storage device of anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a host and a real-time data locking datastorage device of an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of an embodiment for real-time datalocking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

By way of introduction, the below embodiments relate to a data storagedevice and method for real-time data locking in surveillance storage. Inone embodiment, a data storage device is provided comprising a memoryand a controller. The controller is configured to receive an image of anobject of interest from a host; receive a video stream from the host;and as the video stream is being received from the host, determinewhether the object of interest is present in the video stream.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to determinewhether the object of interest is present in the video stream in realtime as the video stream is being received from the host.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to determinewhether the object of interest is present in the video stream by:decoding the video stream as it is received from the host; extractingintra-coded picture frames (I-frames) from the decoded video stream; anddetermining a match percentage of the extracted I-frames and the imageof the object of interest.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to determinethat the object of interest is present in the video stream in responseto the match percentage exceeding a threshold.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to determinethe match percentage at a frequency associated with a quality of servicerequirement.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to store thematch percentage in a table.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to: inresponse to determining that the object of interest is present in thevideo stream, provide the host with an identifier of a video frame inthe video stream that contains the object of interest.

In some embodiments, the identifier of the video frame comprises alogical block address of a location in the memory that stores the videoframe.

In some embodiments, the identifier of the video frame comprises a timetag.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to provide thehost with a match percentage of the video frame and the image of theobject of interest.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to use machinelearning to determine whether the object of interest is present in thevideo stream.

In some embodiments, the memory comprises a three-dimensional memory.

In another embodiment, a method is provided that is performed in a hostin communication with a data storage device comprising a memory. Themethod comprises sending an image of an object of interest to the datastorage device; sending a video stream to the data storage device; andinstructing the data storage device to find the object of interest inthe video stream.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from thedata storage device, an indication that the object of interest was foundin the video stream.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises in response toreceiving the indication, instructing a video capture device to improveresolution.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises in response toreceiving the indication, sending a request to the data storage devicefor a video frame in the video stream that contains the object ofinterest.

In some embodiments, the indication comprises one or more of thefollowing: an identifier of a video frame of the video stream thatcontains the object of interest, a logical block address of a locationin the memory that stores the video frame, a time tag, and a matchpercentage of the video frame and the image of the object of interest.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises sending a plurality ofimages of objects of interest to the data storage device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises prioritizing theplurality of images sent to the data storage device.

In another embodiment, a data storage device is provided comprising amemory and means for determining, in real time as a video stream isbeing received from a host, whether a reference image previouslyreceived from the host is present in the video stream.

Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be usedalone or together in combination. Accordingly, various embodiments willnow be described with reference to the attached drawings.

Embodiments

The following embodiments relate to a data storage device (DSD). As usedherein, a “data storage device” refers to a device that stores data.Examples of DSDs include, but are not limited to, hard disk drives(HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), tape drives, hybrid drives, etc.Details of example DSDs are provided below.

Data storage devices suitable for use in implementing aspects of theseembodiments are shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 1A is a block diagramillustrating a data storage device 100 according to an embodiment of thesubject matter described herein. Referring to FIG. 1A, data storagedevice 100 includes a controller 102 and non-volatile memory that may bemade up of one or more non-volatile memory die 104. As used herein, theterm die refers to the collection of non-volatile memory cells, andassociated circuitry for managing the physical operation of thosenon-volatile memory cells, that are formed on a single semiconductorsubstrate. Controller 102 interfaces with a host system and transmitscommand sequences for read, program, and erase operations tonon-volatile memory die 104.

The controller 102 (which may be a non-volatile memory controller (e.g.,a flash, resistive random-access memory (ReRAM), phase-change memory(PCM), or magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) controller)) cantake the form of processing circuitry, a microprocessor or processor,and a computer-readable medium that stores computer-readable programcode (e.g., firmware) executable by the (micro)processor, logic gates,switches, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), aprogrammable logic controller, and an embedded microcontroller, forexample. The controller 102 can be configured with hardware and/orfirmware to perform the various functions described below and shown inthe flow diagrams. Also, some of the components shown as being internalto the controller can also be stored external to the controller, andother components can be used. Additionally, the phrase “operatively incommunication with” could mean directly in communication with orindirectly (wired or wireless) in communication with through one or morecomponents, which may or may not be shown or described herein.

As used herein, a non-volatile memory controller is a device thatmanages data stored on non-volatile memory and communicates with a host,such as a computer or electronic device. A non-volatile memorycontroller can have various functionality in addition to the specificfunctionality described herein. For example, the non-volatile memorycontroller can format the non-volatile memory to ensure the memory isoperating properly, map out bad non-volatile memory cells, and allocatespare cells to be substituted for future failed cells. Some part of thespare cells can be used to hold firmware to operate the non-volatilememory controller and implement other features. In operation, when ahost needs to read data from or write data to the non-volatile memory,it can communicate with the non-volatile memory controller. If the hostprovides a logical address to which data is to be read/written, thenon-volatile memory controller can convert the logical address receivedfrom the host to a physical address in the non-volatile memory.(Alternatively, the host can provide the physical address.) Thenon-volatile memory controller can also perform various memorymanagement functions, such as, but not limited to, wear leveling(distributing writes to avoid wearing out specific blocks of memory thatwould otherwise be repeatedly written to) and garbage collection (aftera block is full, moving only the valid pages of data to a new block, sothe full block can be erased and reused).

Non-volatile memory die 104 may include any suitable non-volatilestorage medium, including resistive random-access memory (ReRAM),magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), phase-change memory (PCM),NAND flash memory cells and/or NOR flash memory cells. The memory cellscan take the form of solid-state (e.g., flash) memory cells and can beone-time programmable, few-time programmable, or many-time programmable.The memory cells can also be single-level cells (SLC), multiple-levelcells (MLC), triple-level cells (TLC), or use other memory cell leveltechnologies, now known or later developed. Also, the memory cells canbe fabricated in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fashion.

The interface between controller 102 and non-volatile memory die 104 maybe any suitable flash interface, such as Toggle Mode 200, 400, or 800.In one embodiment, the data storage device 100 may be a card basedsystem, such as a secure digital (SD) or a micro secure digital(micro-SD) card. In an alternate embodiment, the data storage device 100may be part of an embedded data storage device.

Although, in the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, the data storage device100 (sometimes referred to herein as a storage module) includes a singlechannel between controller 102 and non-volatile memory die 104, thesubject matter described herein is not limited to having a single memorychannel. For example, in some architectures (such as the ones shown inFIGS. 1B and 1C), two, four, eight or more memory channels may existbetween the controller and the memory device, depending on controllercapabilities. In any of the embodiments described herein, more than asingle channel may exist between the controller and the memory die, evenif a single channel is shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1B illustrates a storage module 200 that includes pluralnon-volatile data storage devices 100. As such, storage module 200 mayinclude a storage controller 202 that interfaces with a host and withdata storage device 204, which includes a plurality of data storagedevices 100. The interface between storage controller 202 and datastorage devices 100 may be a bus interface, such as a serial advancedtechnology attachment (SATA), peripheral component interconnect express(PCIe) interface, or double-data-rate (DDR) interface. Storage module200, in one embodiment, may be a solid state drive (SSD), ornon-volatile dual in-line memory module (NVDIMM), such as found inserver PC or portable computing devices, such as laptop computers, andtablet computers.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a hierarchical storage system. Ahierarchical storage system 250 includes a plurality of storagecontrollers 202, each of which controls a respective data storage device204. Host systems 252 may access memories within the storage system 250via a bus interface. In one embodiment, the bus interface may be aNon-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) or Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)interface. In one embodiment, the system illustrated in FIG. 1C may be arack mountable mass storage system that is accessible by multiple hostcomputers, such as would be found in a data center or other locationwhere mass storage is needed.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating components of controller 102 inmore detail. Controller 102 includes a front-end module 108 thatinterfaces with a host, a back-end module 110 that interfaces with theone or more non-volatile memory die 104, and various other modules thatperform functions which will now be described in detail. A module maytake the form of a packaged functional hardware unit designed for usewith other components, a portion of a program code (e.g., software orfirmware) executable by a (micro)processor or processing circuitry thatusually performs a particular function of related functions, or aself-contained hardware or software component that interfaces with alarger system, for example. Also, “means” for performing a function canbe implemented with at least any of the structure noted herein for thecontroller and can be pure hardware or a combination of hardware andcomputer-readable program code.

Referring again to modules of the controller 102, a buffer manager/buscontroller 114 manages buffers in random access memory (RAM) 116 andcontrols the internal bus arbitration of controller 102. A read onlymemory (ROM) 118 stores system boot code. Although illustrated in FIG.2A as located separately from the controller 102, in other embodimentsone or both of the RAM 116 and ROM 118 may be located within thecontroller. In yet other embodiments, portions of RAM and ROM may belocated both within the controller 102 and outside the controller.

Front-end module 108 includes a host interface 120 and a physical layerinterface (PHY) 122 that provide the electrical interface with the hostor next level storage controller. The choice of the type of hostinterface 120 can depend on the type of memory being used. Examples ofhost interfaces 120 include, but are not limited to, SATA, SATA Express,serially attached small computer system interface (SAS), Fibre Channel,universal serial bus (USB), PCIe, and NVMe. The host interface 120typically facilitates transfer for data, control signals, and timingsignals.

Back-end module 110 includes an error correction code (ECC) engine 124that encodes the data bytes received from the host, and decodes anderror corrects the data bytes read from the non-volatile memory. Acommand sequencer 126 generates command sequences, such as program anderase command sequences, to be transmitted to non-volatile memory die104. A RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives) module 128 managesgeneration of RAID parity and recovery of failed data. The RAID paritymay be used as an additional level of integrity protection for the databeing written into the memory device 104. In some cases, the RAID module128 may be a part of the ECC engine 124. A memory interface 130 providesthe command sequences to non-volatile memory die 104 and receives statusinformation from non-volatile memory die 104. In one embodiment, memoryinterface 130 may be a double data rate (DDR) interface, such as aToggle Mode 200, 400, or 800 interface. A flash control layer 132controls the overall operation of back-end module 110.

The data storage device 100 also includes other discrete components 140,such as external electrical interfaces, external RAM, resistors,capacitors, or other components that may interface with controller 102.In alternative embodiments, one or more of the physical layer interface122, RAID module 128, media management layer 138 and buffermanagement/bus controller 114 are optional components that are notnecessary in the controller 102.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating components of non-volatilememory die 104 in more detail. Non-volatile memory die 104 includesperipheral circuitry 141 and non-volatile memory array 142. Non-volatilememory array 142 includes the non-volatile memory cells used to storedata. The non-volatile memory cells may be any suitable non-volatilememory cells, including ReRAM, MRAM, PCM, NAND flash memory cells and/orNOR flash memory cells in a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensionalconfiguration. Non-volatile memory die 104 further includes a data cache156 that caches data. Peripheral circuitry 141 includes a state machine152 that provides status information to the controller 102.

Returning again to FIG. 2A, the flash control layer 132 (which will bereferred to herein as the flash translation layer (FTL) or, moregenerally, the “media management layer,” as the memory may not be flash)handles flash errors and interfaces with the host. In particular, theFTL, which may be an algorithm in firmware, is responsible for theinternals of memory management and translates writes from the host intowrites to the memory 104. The FTL may be needed because the memory 104may have limited endurance, may be written in only multiples of pages,and/or may not be written unless it is erased as a block. The FTLunderstands these potential limitations of the memory 104, which may notbe visible to the host. Accordingly, the FTL attempts to translate thewrites from host into writes into the memory 104.

The FTL may include a logical-to-physical address (L2P) map and allottedcache memory. In this way, the FTL translates logical block addresses(“LBAs”) from the host to physical addresses in the memory 104. The FTLcan include other features, such as, but not limited to, power-offrecovery (so that the data structures of the FTL can be recovered in theevent of a sudden power loss) and wear leveling (so that the wear acrossmemory blocks is even to prevent certain blocks from excessive wear,which would result in a greater chance of failure).

Turning again to the drawings, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a host 300and data storage device 100 of an embodiment. The host 300 can take anysuitable form, including, but not limited to, a computer, a mobilephone, a tablet, a wearable device, a digital video recorder, asurveillance system, etc. The host 300 in this embodiment (here, acomputing device) comprises a processor 330 and a memory 340. In oneembodiment, computer-readable program code stored in the host memory 340configures the host processor 330 to perform the acts described herein.So, actions performed by the host 300 are sometimes referred to hereinas being performed by an application (computer-readable program code)run on the host 300.

As mentioned above, a data storage device can be used to store a videostream sent to it by a host. In a surveillance environment, the videostream can be stored in the data storage device's memory in the MovingPicture Experts Group Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) format (although otherformats can be used). In general, with video compression, differentvideo frames are compressed using different compression algorithms.Different video frames can be classified into different picture or frametypes. Three of the major picture types are intra-coded picture frames(I-frames), predicted picture frames (P-frames), and bidirectionalpredicted picture frames (B-frames). I-frames are the least compressiblebut are independent in that they can be decoded without reference toother video frames. An I-frame can be a complete image, such as a JointPhotographic Experts Group (JPEG) image file. In contrast, a predictedpicture frame (P-frame) (or delta frame) contains the changes in theimage from the previous frame and requires reference to other videoframes to be decompressed. However, P-frames are more compressible thanI-frames. A bidirectional predicted picture frame (B-frame) containsdifferences between the current frame and both the preceding andfollowing frames. Accordingly, B-frames provide the highest amount ofdata compression.

Further, an Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) frame is a group ofI-frame slices. With an IDR frame, all pictures in a reference bufferare marked as use for reference, and all subsequently-transmitted slicesare decoded without reference to any frame decoded prior to the DRframe. No frame after the DR frame can reference any frame before it. DRframes are used to avoid any distortions in the video whenfast-forwarding. DR frames are particularly useful for comparison to thereference image from the host because DR frames areindependently-decodable frames on par with an image. In short, a searchalgorithm only has to figure out if the object in the reference image isthe same as or related to the object in another image and, if so, theextent of the similarity.

Searching for an object of interest in the stored video stream is amajor requirement of surveillance systems. As used herein, the term“object” will be used to refer to the person or thing that the host issearching for in the video. Typically, the host retrieves the entirestored video stream from the data storage device and performs its ownsearch to find the object of interest. That is, the host retrieves thevideo stream offline if it determines to analyze the video stream for anobject of interest. The decision, which is predominantly host driven,consumes a good portion of host bandwidth and can result in unnecessarydata transfers.

The following embodiments, which are sometimes referred to herein asreal-time data locking mechanisms, recognize that a data storage devicethat manages data for retrospective analysis may not be as desirable asan event-driven data storage device that can provide data and enabledecisions in real time. Decisions in real time are best possible whenthe data storage device is aware of what to analyze and when to analyzeprior to long-term storage in the memory of the data storage device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that will be used to illustrate one exampleimplementation of an embodiment where the searching for an object ofinterest in a video stream is offloaded from the host 300 to the datastorage device 100 and is done as the data storage device 100 isreceiving the video stream from the host 300. It should be noted thatFIG. 4 shows one example implementation, and other implementations canbe used. Also, while certain details are provided in this example forillustrative purposes, those details should not be read into the claimsunless expressly recited therein.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the host 300 sends an image ofan object of interest to the data storage device 100 prior to sending avideo stream to the data storage device 100 (acts 1 and 2). The datastorage device 100 uses that image as a reference image for the searchand can store the reference image in volatile or non-volatile memory inthe data storage device 100. It should be noted that while this examplewill be explained in terms of one object of interest, the host 300 canprovide the data storage device 100 with a plurality of images ofobjects of interest, which can be prioritized by the host 300.

When the data storage device 100 receives a video stream from the host300 for storage in its memory 104, the controller 102 (e.g., a real-timedata locking module 410 in the controller 102) determines, as the videostream is being received from the host 300, whether the object ofinterest is present in the video stream. This can be done in real timeor with some delay. Also, in some cases, the match is done partially inreal time, the match recorded in the memory 104, and the rest of thematch with deeper conviction in done non-real time. Either way, thedetermination is made prior to the entire video stream being stored inthe memory 104. For example, as the data storage device 100 is receivingthe video stream from the host 300, the controller 102 can decoded thevideo stream and extract intra-coded picture frames (I-frames) from thedecoded video stream (act 3). The controller 102 can then determine amatch percentage of the extracted I-frames and the image of the objectof interest (act 4). The pattern matching process can be done in anysuitable way. In one embodiment, the controller 102 uses artificialintelligence or machine learning to match the host-provided image to theobjects in different video frames. Examples of image recognitiontechniques that can be used to perform the search include, for instance,those in U.S. Pat. No. 7,847,820 and U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. US2006/0190419, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Using this embodiment, the controller 102 can determine that the objectof interest is present in one or more video frames in the video stream.The controller 102 can keep a record of the matching video frames in anysuitable way. For example, in one embodiment, the controller 102 cancreate and maintain a table that details the match percentage, as wellas other information, such as, but not limited to, an identifier of avideo frame of the video stream that contains the object of interest, alogical block address of a location in the memory 104 that stores thevideo frame, and a time tag (act 5). This process is performed on some,if not all, of the video frames in the video stream.

Also, the determination of match percentage can be done at apredetermined or variable frequency (e.g., at a frequency associatedwith a quality of service requirement). For example, assuming a group ofpictures (GOP) of one second and one I-frame in one GOP, the datastorage device 100 has one second to perform all data matching (withavailable references) to the I-frame in real time. Hence, if thecontroller 102 determines that it cannot finish all the matching withinthat time, it may consider a lower frequency, such as performing thematch every two seconds (e.g., skipping alternate I-frames). This wouldbe one example of quality-of-service versus real-time designconsiderations in the surveillance storage.

If the match percentage exceeding a threshold, the controller 102 candetermine that the object of interest is in a given video frame in thevideo stream and can provide an indication of the match to the host 300(act 6). For example, one or more of the items stored in the matchingtable can be sent to the host 300 upon a match to indicate that the datastorage device 100 found the object of interest in the video stream.

The host 300 can take action based on an indication of a match from thedata storage device 100. For example, upon receiving the indication, thehost 300 can instruct a video capture device connected to the host 300to improve resolution or can request the video frame(s) containing theobject of interest and perhaps even the surrounding video frame(s). Ofcourse, these are merely examples, and other host actions can takeplace.

Turning again to the drawings, FIG. 5 is a flow chart 500 of a method ofan embodiment for real-time data locking. As shown in FIG. 5, the host300 provides a “pre-reference” (e.g., an image of an object of interest)or appends an image to an existing reference image in the data storagedevice 100 prior to writing a video stream to the data storage device100 (act 510). In some cases, the host 300 may append a set of newreferences on top of existing references to the data storage device 100.If the host 300 is providing multiple images of objects of interest, thehost 300 can prioritize those objects. Also, the data stream provided bythe host 300 can be captured by one or more video capture devices(cameras) connected to the host 300.

Next, the host 300 writes the video stream to the data storage device100 (act 520). The data storage device 100 then determines if the objectof interest is in the video stream. For example, in this embodiment, thecontroller 102 in the data storage device 100 performs I-frameextraction and extracts the object of interest (e.g., a face) from theI-frame picture using, for example, a known machine-learning technique(act 530). In real time (or near real time), the data storage device 100matches the obtained object of interest from the streaming media to theset of pre-obtained reference images (act 540) and determines if thereis a match (act 550)

If there is a match, the controller 102 in the data storage device 100“locks the I-frame” from the streaming media and creates a match entryin a table (act 560). This can include, for example, associating thelogical block address of the I-frame with the match percentage. Then (orif there is not a match), the controller 102 continues real-time lockingoperations from the next I-frame until the end of the host write (act570).

If there is an entry in the matching table (act 580), the data storagedevice 100 passes the match table (or a set of entries from the table)to the host 300 (act 590). The host 300 can take any suitable action inresponse to receiving the match table. For example, the host 300 canretrieve logical data that has a match percentage greater than athreshold.

In summary, with these embodiments, the host 300 can send a referenceimage of an object of interest upfront to the data storage device 100,and the data storage device 100 can proactively look out for objectmatches in a forthcoming data stream meant for storage. The data storagedevice 100 can perform object matching, for example, by video decodingof an incoming video stream, extracting I-frames, and matching theI-frames to the reference image (at a threshold frequency) using anysuitable pattern-matching algorithm (e.g., now known or later developed,either open source or proprietary). On hitting a pattern match above athreshold for reference image(s) in the video stream, the data storagedevice 100 can provide an indication of the match (e.g., using areference ID, the match percentage, logical block address, or time tag)to the host 300. The host 300 may act upon this hint by instructing thecapturing device/camera for superior resolution for a period of time.Subsequent high quality capture enables pattern matching with deeperconviction. The sequence of actions can be changed based on the matchingthreshold.

There are several advantages associated with these embodiments. Forexample, these embodiments can be used to assist law enforcementagencies to track objects of interest (e.g., people or vehicles)proactively in real time. This provides a more robust system than thosethat use reverse streaming for retrospective analysis, as theseembodiments can provide real time responses, faster results, and optimumdata transfers.

Many different alternatives can be used with these embodiments. Forexample, in one alternate embodiment, the host 300 performs real-timedata locking prior to sending data to the data storage device 100. Inthis alternate embodiment, the host 300 may need to cache the referencesstored in the data storage device 100 for every match, if there areseveral references.

Finally, as mentioned above, any suitable type of memory can be used.Semiconductor memory devices include volatile memory devices, such asdynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) or static random access memory(“SRAM”) devices, non-volatile memory devices, such as resistive randomaccess memory (“ReRAM”), electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory (“EEPROM”), flash memory (which can also be considered a subsetof EEPROM), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), andmagnetoresistive random access memory (“MRAM”), and other semiconductorelements capable of storing information. Each type of memory device mayhave different configurations. For example, flash memory devices may beconfigured in a NAND or a NOR configuration.

The memory devices can be formed from passive and/or active elements, inany combinations. By way of non-limiting example, passive semiconductormemory elements include ReRAM device elements, which in some embodimentsinclude a resistivity switching storage element, such as an anti-fuse,phase change material, etc., and optionally a steering element, such asa diode, etc. Further by way of non-limiting example, activesemiconductor memory elements include EEPROM and flash memory deviceelements, which in some embodiments include elements containing a chargestorage region, such as a floating gate, conductive nanoparticles, or acharge storage dielectric material.

Multiple memory elements may be configured so that they are connected inseries or so that each element is individually accessible. By way ofnon-limiting example, flash memory devices in a NAND configuration (NANDmemory) typically contain memory elements connected in series. A NANDmemory array may be configured so that the array is composed of multiplestrings of memory in which a string is composed of multiple memoryelements sharing a single bit line and accessed as a group.Alternatively, memory elements may be configured so that each element isindividually accessible, e.g., a NOR memory array. NAND and NOR memoryconfigurations are examples, and memory elements may be otherwiseconfigured.

The semiconductor memory elements located within and/or over a substratemay be arranged in two or three dimensions, such as a two-dimensionalmemory structure or a three-dimensional memory structure.

In a two-dimensional memory structure, the semiconductor memory elementsare arranged in a single plane or a single memory device level.Typically, in a two-dimensional memory structure, memory elements arearranged in a plane (e.g., in an x-z direction plane) which extendssubstantially parallel to a major surface of a substrate that supportsthe memory elements. The substrate may be a wafer over or in which thelayer of the memory elements are formed or it may be a carrier substratewhich is attached to the memory elements after they are formed. As anon-limiting example, the substrate may include a semiconductor such assilicon.

The memory elements may be arranged in the single memory device level inan ordered array, such as in a plurality of rows and/or columns.However, the memory elements may be arrayed in non-regular ornon-orthogonal configurations. The memory elements may each have two ormore electrodes or contact lines, such as bit lines and wordlines.

A three-dimensional memory array is arranged so that memory elementsoccupy multiple planes or multiple memory device levels, thereby forminga structure in three dimensions (i.e., in the x, y and z directions,where the y direction is substantially perpendicular and the x and zdirections are substantially parallel to the major surface of thesubstrate).

As a non-limiting example, a three-dimensional memory structure may bevertically arranged as a stack of multiple two-dimensional memory devicelevels. As another non-limiting example, a three-dimensional memoryarray may be arranged as multiple vertical columns (e.g., columnsextending substantially perpendicular to the major surface of thesubstrate, i.e., in the y direction) with each column having multiplememory elements in each column. The columns may be arranged in atwo-dimensional configuration, e.g., in an x-z plane, resulting in athree-dimensional arrangement of memory elements with elements onmultiple vertically stacked memory planes. Other configurations ofmemory elements in three dimensions can also constitute athree-dimensional memory array.

By way of non-limiting example, in a three-dimensional NAND memoryarray, the memory elements may be coupled together to form a NAND stringwithin a single horizontal (e.g., x-z) memory device levels.Alternatively, the memory elements may be coupled together to form avertical NAND string that traverses across multiple horizontal memorydevice levels. Other three-dimensional configurations can be envisionedwherein some NAND strings contain memory elements in a single memorylevel while other strings contain memory elements which span throughmultiple memory levels. Three-dimensional memory arrays may also bedesigned in a NOR configuration and in a ReRAM configuration.

Typically, in a monolithic three-dimensional memory array, one or morememory device levels are formed above a single substrate. Optionally,the monolithic three-dimensional memory array may also have one or morememory layers at least partially within the single substrate. As anon-limiting example, the substrate may include a semiconductor such assilicon. In a monolithic three-dimensional array, the layersconstituting each memory device level of the array are typically formedon the layers of the underlying memory device levels of the array.However, layers of adjacent memory device levels of a monolithicthree-dimensional memory array may be shared or have intervening layersbetween memory device levels.

Then again, two-dimensional arrays may be formed separately and thenpackaged together to form a non-monolithic memory device having multiplelayers of memory. For example, non-monolithic stacked memories can beconstructed by forming memory levels on separate substrates and thenstacking the memory levels atop each other. The substrates may bethinned or removed from the memory device levels before stacking, but asthe memory device levels are initially formed over separate substrates,the resulting memory arrays are not monolithic three-dimensional memoryarrays. Further, multiple two-dimensional memory arrays orthree-dimensional memory arrays (monolithic or non-monolithic) may beformed on separate chips and then packaged together to form astacked-chip memory device.

Associated circuitry is typically required for operation of the memoryelements and for communication with the memory elements. As non-limitingexamples, memory devices may have circuitry used for controlling anddriving memory elements to accomplish functions such as programming andreading. This associated circuitry may be on the same substrate as thememory elements and/or on a separate substrate. For example, acontroller for memory read-write operations may be located on a separatecontroller chip and/or on the same substrate as the memory elements.

One of skill in the art will recognize that this invention is notlimited to the two-dimensional and three-dimensional structuresdescribed but cover all relevant memory structures within the spirit andscope of the invention as described herein and as understood by one ofskill in the art.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood asan illustration of selected forms that the invention can take and not asa definition of the invention. It is only the following claims,including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of theclaimed invention. Finally, it should be noted that any aspect of any ofthe embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combinationwith one another.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data storage device comprising: a memory; and acontroller configured to: receive an image of an object of interest froma host; receive a video stream from the host; and as the video stream isbeing received from the host, determine whether the object of interestis present in the video stream.
 2. The data storage device of claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether theobject of interest is present in the video stream in real time as thevideo stream is being received from the host.
 3. The data storage deviceof claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determinewhether the object of interest is present in the video stream by:decoding the video stream as it is received from the host; extractingintra-coded picture frames (I-frames) from the decoded video stream; anddetermining a match percentage of the extracted I-frames and the imageof the object of interest.
 4. The data storage device of claim 3,wherein the controller is further configured to determine that theobject of interest is present in the video stream in response to thematch percentage exceeding a threshold.
 5. The data storage device ofclaim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to determine thematch percentage at a frequency associated with a quality of servicerequirement.
 6. The data storage device of claim 3, wherein thecontroller is further configured to store the match percentage in atable.
 7. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the controller isfurther configured to: in response to determining that the object ofinterest is present in the video stream, provide the host with anidentifier of a video frame in the video stream that contains the objectof interest.
 8. The data storage device of claim 7, wherein theidentifier of the video frame comprises a logical block address of alocation in the memory that stores the video frame.
 9. The data storagedevice of claim 7, wherein the identifier of the video frame comprises atime tag.
 10. The data storage device of claim 7, wherein the controlleris further configured to provide the host with a match percentage of thevideo frame and the image of the object of interest.
 11. The datastorage device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configuredto use machine learning to determine whether the object of interest ispresent in the video stream.
 12. The data storage device of claim 1,wherein the memory comprises a three-dimensional memory.
 13. A methodcomprising: performing the following in a host in communication with adata storage device comprising a memory: sending an image of an objectof interest to the data storage device; sending a video stream to thedata storage device; and instructing the data storage device to find theobject of interest in the video stream.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising: receiving, from the data storage device, anindication that the object of interest was found in the video stream.15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: in response to receivingthe indication, instructing a video capture device to improveresolution.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: in responseto receiving the indication, sending a request to the data storagedevice for a video frame in the video stream that contains the object ofinterest.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the indication comprisesone or more of the following: an identifier of a video frame of thevideo stream that contains the object of interest, a logical blockaddress of a location in the memory that stores the video frame, a timetag, and a match percentage of the video frame and the image of theobject of interest.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprisingsending a plurality of images of objects of interest to the data storagedevice.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising prioritizing theplurality of images sent to the data storage device.
 20. A data storagedevice comprising: a memory; and means for determining, in real time asa video stream is being received from a host, whether a reference imagepreviously received from the host is present in the video stream.